Date: Wednesday October 26 (6-9pm) AND Saturday October 29, 2022 (9am-12 noon) Cost: $75
Total PD hours: 6 hrs Location: ONLINE Presenters: Karen Carey & Colin Morrison

Description: Although it is sometimes assumed children live in a world of carefree bliss, statistics tell us that as many as one in five have a diagnosable mental disorder that causes moderate to significant impairment in their daily lives. Many children we work with show clear signs & characteristics of anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, or a neurodevelopmental disability such as autism, & yet, for the most part, many go undiagnosed.
Our presentation will help educators understand children’s diverse & challenging mental health needs & how best to sup-port them & their caregivers. We will review various mental health disorders, uncover new research on emotional & be-havioral challenges & self-regulation & provide helpful strategies & interventions adaptable to early childhood education centres to allow children to have more success & to live their best lives.
Objectives: Awareness of how mental health can present in young children, An understanding of effective interventions & resources in supporting children’s mental health , An awareness of why many children are without a diagnosis & how we might work to best support them while also combatting stigma toward children’s mental health.

Presenter Biographies: Colin Morrison has over 20 years’ experience working with children, youth & families in the mental health field. Colin has served primarily as youth care worker & case coordinator for families & children in the Child & Family Day Treatment Program at the IWK. He has extensive experience in developing & implementing skill groups with children, particularly in the area of emotional regulation, & providing supportive counselling to families. Colin is currently completing a Master of Social Worker degree at Dalhousie University, & is working on a thesis related to male childhood sexual abuse, & the impacts of “toxic masculinity” on mens’ help seeking behaviours. He has a keen interest in trauma focused therapy, attachment theory, mens’ health, & issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. 
Karen Carey has over 15 years’ experience working with children, youth & families as a social worker, youth care worker, case coordinator, in home support worker & direct care practitioner. Through evidence based & best practice methods, Karen is a strong advocate for the children, youth & families. Although Karen has strong roots in attachment theory, systems theory, positive parenting, trauma & resilience; her personal philosophy is to promote mental, physical & emotional health/wellbeing though a solution focused & social learning model.
Together Colin & Karen have seen positive & long lasting benefits for children AND families when they are provided education, strategies, guidance, empathy & support. They see effective communication & open collaboration as the key ingredients in supporting positive futures for the children & families under their care.